Chief Finance Officer

CRAVEN COUNTY SCHOOLS
Chief Finance Officer

Position Description

Position: Chief Finance Officer

Reports to: Superintendent
Location: Central Services

Terms of Employment: 12 months, full time

Pay Grade: ADMIN VI, plus local supplement

Pay Range: $61,303-$113,386 (commensurate with salary and experience) 
FLSA Status: Non-exempt

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Qualify for certification as a School Finance Officer according to policy of the State Board of Education: five years of professional experience in finance operations (preferably school finance) combined with one of the following: 1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited four-year college or university with a minimum of 15 semester hours in accounting or 2. A licensed Certified Public Accountant 3. Certified by the State Board of Education as an LEA school finance officer before July 1, 2024. Preferred: Master's Degree in accounting, business administration, public administration, or a related field, with a CPA or advanced degree/doctorate in accounting, business administration, or a related field, and 9 to 12 years of govermental accounting preferably in a N.C. Public school setting, government setting, or any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the required combination of knowledge, skills, and abilities. Must maintain (24) hours of continuing education credits as required by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Working knowledge of the LINQ payroll and employee management system is preferred.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB

The Chief Finance Officer is responsible for all fiscal affairs of the school system, including the state, federal, and local funds, enterprise funds, and capital operations. Under limited supervision, performs comprehensive supervisory and management responsibilities to carry out Board of Education (BOE) policies and procedures for Craven County Schools (CCS) financial operations and other delegated areas of responsibility. The finance officer shall install and maintain an integrated system to plan fiscal operations, ensuring sound decisions, accountability, and transparency. This legislatively required position, per G.S. 115C-435, must be able to interpret and follow fiscal regulations prescribed by the North Carolina General Statutes, the State Board of Education, federal agencies, the Local Government Commission, and other funding entities. This position is the financial leader of the school district and requires comprehensive accounting knowledge, including the ability to interpret and implement new accounting standards, per GASB. This position is a critical component of the leadership team of a school district. Under limited supervision, performs comprehensive supervisory and management responsibilities to carry out Board of Education (BOE) policies and procedures for Craven County Schools (CCS) financial operations and other delegated areas of responsibility. Work involves formulating, coordinating, and directing all CCS financial planning and administration aspects, including developing comprehensive short-and long-range budgets. The employee is responsible for leading the planning, receipt collection, disbursement, and accounting of CCS revenues and expenditures, managing the investment of CCS funds, and assisting the superintendent and other administrative team members in preparing the annual budget. The employee directs professional, technical, and clerical staff responsible for compiling data for various reports required by oversight agencies and assisting outside auditors. Work involves directing the activities of staff members in performing designated functions and participating in auditing and maintaining general accounts and the general ledger. The employee is also responsible for exercising initiative and independent judgment to ensure proper administration of the Finance Department.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES/ ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Oversees the preparation and management of the Board of Education’s annual budget. Oversees preparation/publication of Board of Education’s final budget document in accordance with the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award Program requirements. Plans, organizes, directs and supervises operations of the Financial Services Division; directs and participates in the formulation and implementation of applicable finance policies, ensuring adherence to generally accepted accounting practices and principles of governmental accounting, the rules and regulations of the State Board of Education, and the rules and regulations of the Local Government Commission [source: NCGS 115C-436 (a) (1) Gives the pre audit certificate required by NCGS 115C-441 [source: NCGS 115C-436 (a) (2) Signs and issues all checks, drafts, and State warrants by the local school administrative unit, invests cash, and receives and deposits all money accruing to the local school administrative unit. [source: NCGS 115C-436 (a) (3). Invests idle cash in the classes of securities as defined in NCGS 115C-443 (c) and ensures that such deposits are secured as provided in NCGS 115C-444 (b). Prepares and files a statement of the financial condition of the local school administrative unit as often as requested by the superintendent, and when requested in writing, with copy to the superintendent, by the board of education or the board of county commissioners. [Source: NCGS 115C-436 (a) (4). Provides information, advice, assistance and recommendations to the Superintendent, Board of Education, and County Commissioners. Directs and monitors Financial Services Division operations to maintain, to control, and to analyze full adherence and implementation of HCPS fiscal policies and procedures. Assists members of the Superintendent's Cabinet with financial matters as necessary; answers inquiries and explains policies and procedures. Assists members of the Superintendent's Cabinet in preparing budget estimates and in determining cost for new, expanded or reorganized programs. Safeguards CCS physical assets through implementation of adequate internal controls and ensures adequate accounting records to document compliance with local, state, and federal laws and ordinances. Assists outside auditors in completion of the Board of Education’s annual financial audit. Oversees preparation/publication of the Board of Education’s comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) in accordance with the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Program requirements and the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting Program requirements. Oversees the district’s process management system. Oversees maintenance of accounting work on grants received by schools, processing adequate records, reimbursements, code reviews, etc., to comply with applicable laws and ordinances.

ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Prepares and delivers written and oral presentations on CCS budget and fiscal matters as well as other financial concerns to the BOE, Superintendent, administrators and teachers, parents, and community groups
• Attends regular meetings of the Board; conducts staff meetings; attends other related meetings.
• Assumes leadership role on the Superintendent’s Cabinet with issues pertaining long range strategic planning, policies and other activities.
• Supervises and conducts personnel administration duties for direct reports subordinates, including hiring and firing recommendations, evaluating, assigning special duties, monitoring attendance and travel reports, and approving leave.
• Attends meetings of the Board of Education and provides information as requested. Prepares/submits items requiring Board of County Commissioners’ approval to appropriate Craven County staff; attends meetings of County Commissioners and provides information as requested.
• Performing such other duties as may be assigned by law, by the superintendent, or by rules and regulations of the State Board of Education and the Local Government Commission [source: NCGS 115C-436 (a) (45].
• Attends seminars, conferences, workshops, classes, lectures, etc., as appropriate, to enhance and maintain knowledge of trends and developments in the field of accounting and auditing; reviews professional journals, attends association and professional meetings; and otherwise maintains contacts with professionals to facilitate exchange of information.

QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Physical Requirements: Must be physically able to sit, stand, walk, and drive a car. Must be able to lift mail and boxes up to 10 lbs. Must be able to sit at a computer for extended periods. Physical demand requirements are for light work. This position does not have a remote work option.
• Data Conception: Requires the ability to compare and judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or composite characteristics (similar or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things. Interpersonal
• Communication: Requires the ability to speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information. Includes giving instructions, assignments, or directions to subordinates or assistants.
• Language Ability: Requires the ability to read simple forms. Requires the ability to prepare time sheets and supply requisitions using a prescribed format.
• Intelligence: Requires the ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagrammatic form; to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in or from standardized situations.
• Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, explain procedures, and follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in Standard English.
• Numerical Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas to add, subtract, divide, and multiply. Motor Coordination: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately when using a keyboard. Manual
• Dexterity: Must have minimal eye/hand/foot coordination levels. Interpersonal
• Temperament: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under fluctuating levels of stress

Special Requirements

• Valid Driver’s License

*In compliance with Federal Law, Craven County Schools administers all education programs, employment activities and admissions without discrimination against any person on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age or disability.